All-New Mondeo joins Falcon FG-X, Territory MkII with WiFi Connection as Ford Goes on Front Foot with Tec

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New SYNC2 driver connect technology features WiFi receiver

Next-generation SYNC2 system also creates a local mobile WiFi hotspot for passenger use by resharing a public access point, or through a tethered link to a customer’s phone

WiFi capability will be standard on Ford vehicles equipped with SYNC2 with no additional hardware or subscriptions required beyond the user-supplied mobile plan

MELBOURNE, 16 Feb., 2015 – The all-new Ford Mondeo will join the Falcon FG X and Territory MkII in offering a WiFi hotspot when it goes on sale in the second quarter of 2015
Ford customers are gaining a new sense of freedom by being able to extend the functionality of their vehicles. The in-built WiFi receiver allows other devices in the vehicle to speak to each other and for passengers to gain access to the internet.

The Falcon FG X and Territory Mk II are the first Australian-built vehicles to include this standard feature, which allows customers to turn their vehicles into WiFi hotspots.
“Ford aims to deliver the latest technology and having an in-vehicle internet capability is significant point of difference between Ford and other local manufacturers,” said Graeme Whickman, Ford Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service. “A WiFi hotspot is a clear differentiator between Ford and the Australian large car competition.”
Studies by the Consumer Electronics Association in North America show that as many as 77 million adults make up the so-called technology enthusiast drivers population. More than half of whom express the desire for a connected communications and information system in their vehicles.
Apart from a WiFi hotspot, when the all-new 2015 Mondeo arrives in dealerships it will also offer 10 advanced technologies that are not available on the Toyota Camry, including a TDCi diesel engine on the hatch that is more fuel efficient than the Camry Hybrid^, delivering a combined fuel figure of 5.1 L/100km.

Upgradeable and secure
The two USB 2.0 ports included in the SYNC2 Media Hub in the Falcon and Territory centre consoles let owners leverage a variety of devices. And through simple software updates, SYNC can be adapted to connect with the latest devices.

With technology evolving at such speeds, particularly on the wireless front, that obsolescence becomes a real problem, Ford has solved that problem by making SYNC work with just about any technology you plug into it. By leveraging a user’s existing hardware, which can be upgraded independent of SYNC, Ford has helped ensure ‘forward compatibility’ with whatever connectivity technology comes next.

By using SYNC with existing mobile devices Ford can provide the most value, the most flexibility and the most convenience for owners. Constant connectivity is now a routine part of customers’ lives, and Ford is making existing technology more accessible without adding costs.

Using the SYNC WiFi system, a signal will be broadcast throughout the vehicle. Default security is set to WiFi Protected Access 2 (WPA2), requiring users to enter a randomly chosen password to connect to the Internet. When SYNC sees a new WiFi device for the first time, the driver must specifically allow that device to connect, preventing unauthorized users from “piggybacking” on the SYNC-provided signal.
WiFi is one of several technologies that adds convenience to customer lifestyles.

Emergency Assistance
The WiFi hotspot is one of several key technologies available in the Falcon FG X and the Territory MkII that are unavailable in the locally built competition.
Emergency Assistance is rolling out across Ford’s new vehicles, including the all-new 2015 Ford Mondeo. It is standard on the Falcon FG X and Territory MkII and is another feature not available on Australian-built rivals.
The Emergency Assistance system is designed to deliver critical information directly to 000 operators, indicating that a Ford vehicle has been involved in an accident advising the vehicle’s GPS location before opening the line for hands-free communication with the vehicle occupants.
Ford SYNC2 with Emergency Assistance uses the driver’s own paired mobile phone via Bluetooth®* and runs in the background once the phone is properly paired with SYNC2 and is within mobile phone range.
Importantly for customers, SYNC2 with Emergency Assistance has no additional contracts or subscriptions to maintain the service. It’s free for the life of the car.

After the one-time setup, unless turned off, Emergency Assistance runs in the background each time the driver enters the vehicle with their phone and the phone is turned on and successfully paired via Bluetooth®* to the vehicle.
Should an accident occur in which airbags deploy or the emergency fuel pump shutoff is activated, SYNC2 with Emergency Assistance uses SYNC2’s hands-free phone capabilities to attempt to connect the driver directly with a 000 operator through the paired phone.
If an accident occurs while a connected phone is being used for a normal call, SYNC2 with Emergency Assistance system can end that call and dial the emergency services. Also, incoming phone calls will not interrupt communication between vehicle occupants and the 000 operator.
Once the call is established, if occupants are able, they can leave the vehicle and stay connected with the 000 operator by taking the phone with them as they move away.

Source: Ford Media